Genetic Determinants Associated With the Biofilm Formation Impairment in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clinical Isolates

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a model organism for biofilm formation research, as it forms biofilms under diverse environmental conditions. At the same time, numerous studies have reported impaired-biofilm formation in clinical isolates; however, the genetic basis of these impairments remains unexplored. In this study, we assessed the ability of P. aeruginosa clinical isolates from a laboratory collection to form biofilms. Among these isolates, three demonstrated biofilm formation impairment. A comparative genomic analysis revealed genetic determinants associated with biofilm formation impairment, including mutations in the pelA and fleQ genes, and psl operon deletion. Interestingly, the identified loss-of-function mutations in regulatory genes involved in biofilm formation did not appear to affect the ability to form biofilms.